The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has strongly criticized recent deportation agreements between the US and several African nations, warning that these deals could turn the continent into a “dumping ground” for rejected migrants. The commission expressed concerns about potential human rights abuses, breaches of regional and international laws, and the risks faced by deportees.
Key Concerns
- Risk of Abuse: Deportees may face heightened risks of abuse, violating their rights to dignity and asylum.
- Non-Refoulement Principle: The agreements may breach the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning people to danger.
- Collective Expulsions: The deals could also lead to collective expulsions, violating international law.
Countries Involved
- Rwanda: Confirmed receiving seven migrants from the US and agreed to take up to 250 deportees.
- Uganda: Recently signed a temporary deal to accept third-country nationals denied asylum in the US.
- Eswatini: Accepted five foreign convicts deported from the US under a secret agreement, sparking public outrage.
- South Sudan: Signed similar agreements with the US.
US Pressure
- Mixed Results: The US push for African cooperation on deportations has yielded mixed results, with some governments resisting.
- Nigeria’s Refusal: Nigeria flatly refused to take in Venezuelans deported by Washington.
ACHPR’s Stance
- Protecting Human Rights: The commission urged African states to prioritize human dignity and protect the rights of deportees.
- Transparency and Accountability: ACHPR emphasized the need for transparency in these agreements and accountability for any human rights abuses
